Rebuilding Lost Bone with Bone Grafting in Portland ME

Bone loss in your mouth can occur for several reasons, with periodontal disease being the primary culprit. But other factors like ill-fitting dentures, tooth loss, or facial injuries also play a role. Thankfully, modern dentistry offers bone grafting in Portland ME—a reliable, predictable solution to restore lost bone tissue and encourage natural regeneration. Bone grafting not only strengthens your jaw but also provides stability for dental implants, improves facial structure, and boosts your confidence with a healthier smile.

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Different Types of Dental Bone Grafts in Portland ME Available

Dental professionals use various types of bone graft materials based on your specific needs. Here are the most common types:

• Autogenous Bone Graft:
  This graft involves harvesting bone from your own body, often from areas such as the chin, jaw, hip, or tibia (shin bone). It's a safe and effective option, especially when larger amounts of bone are required.
• Allograft (Synthetic or Donor Bone):
  An allograft utilizes synthetic or donated bone materials. These grafts can come from a reputable bone bank and are thoroughly screened, prepared, and safe to use.
• Xenograft (Animal Bone):
  Typically using processed bovine (cow) bone, xenografts have proven safe, reliable, and effective over many years. They're readily available, eliminating the need for a secondary surgical site.

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Common Reasons You Might Need a Bone Graft

Bone grafting serves a variety of critical roles in oral health:

Dental Implants:
Dental implants require a strong foundation. Bone grafting ensures implants have sufficient bone density and volume for optimal stability.

Sinus Lift:
When implants are needed near the upper back teeth, a sinus lift elevates the sinus membrane, and a bone graft provides the necessary foundation for secure implant placement.

Ridge Augmentation:
After trauma, disease, or tooth loss, bone ridges can form. Bone grafting smooths these ridges, restoring your jaw’s natural shape and appearance.

Nerve Repositioning:
If a dental implant placement might interfere with a nerve in the lower jaw, repositioning combined with bone grafting can safely allow implant placement without nerve damage.

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The Bone Grafting Procedure: What to Expect

Bone grafting is a straightforward procedure, commonly performed under local anesthesia. For larger grafts, sedation or general anesthesia might be recommended. After the area is numbed, your dentist will create a small incision in your gums, carefully placing the graft material at the target site.

To accelerate and enhance healing, your periodontist may also employ additional techniques such as:

• Guided Tissue Regeneration (GTR):
  A special barrier membrane is placed over the graft to separate rapidly growing gum tissue from slower-growing bone tissue. This technique creates ideal conditions for natural bone growth.
• Tissue-Stimulating Proteins (Emdogain):
  These proteins promote the regrowth of lost periodontal tissues, supporting faster healing and better results, especially in periodontal cases.
• Platelet-Rich Growth Factors (PRGF):
  Concentrated platelets stimulate healing and bone regeneration, resulting in denser bone growth within a shorter healing period.

After completing the procedure, your dentist will suture your gums securely. Typically, a follow-up appointment within 7–10 days will assess your healing progress. Bone grafting is a highly effective, predictable, and safe method to restore lost bone and improve oral health.

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If you have questions about bone grafting or think you might benefit from this procedure, reach out to our experts at Portland Center for Dentistry or a periodontist today. Your healthier smile awaits!